The government has published its response to the Women and Equalities Committees report – Menopause and the Workplace
The government has confirmed it will appoint a menopause employment champion who will work with employers on menopause issues, however it has not accepted the recommendations to:
- introduce sex and age as a single dual protected characteristic to protect women going through menopause under the Equality Act 2010;
- commence a consultation on making menopause a stand-alone protected characteristic;
- produce model menopause policies.
In respect of this final recommendation, the government has referred to other steps being taken by employers and organisations, including Acas, to develop workplace policies and guidance.
Whilst this will be considered good news by many employers, many will be disappointed by this response and I doubt this will be the end of the campaign.
Meantime however employers however should take into account what they can do to help employees going through the menopause within the workplace and ACAS’s current guidance.